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Table of Contents

GIS Data Conversion: Strategies, Techniques, and Management
Author: Hohl, Pat

Cover: cover
Pages: 423
List Price: $52.95
Published by Onword Press
Date Published: 11/1997
ISBN: 1566901758


Table of Contents

SECTION 1:  Introduction                           1  
    Introduction and Overview                        3  
      Ensuring Successful Conversion                 3  
      Book Audience                                  4  
      Who, What, Why, Where, and When?               5  
      Different Perspectives                         6  
      Book Organization                              7  
        Introduction and Overview                    7  
        Project Management                           7  
        GIS Data Sources                             9  
        Data Conversion/Input Methodologies          9  
        Quality Control/Quality Assurance            10 
      Summary                                        10 
    Chapter 2:  Data, the Foundation of GIS          11 
      Data Definitions                               11 
        Information versus Data                      11 
        Precision versus Accuracy                    13 
      Data Types                                     14 
        Spatial Data                                 15 
        Attribute Data                               17 
        Temporal Data                                17 
        Metadata                                     17 
      Data Sources                                   17 
        Measured Data                                18 
        Inferred Data                                18 
        Imported (and Converted) Data                18 
      Data Processing                                18 
        Acquisition                                  19 
        Retrieval                                    19 
        Analysis                                     19 
        Presentation                                 19 
        Converting, Exporting, and Importing         20 
      Relational Data Model                          20 
        Entities                                     20 
        Relationships                                21 
        Normalization                                21 
      Conclusion                                     25 
      References                                     26 
  SECTION 2:  Project Management                     27 
    Chapter 3:  Conversion Resources and             29 
    Structures
      Staffing Needs                                 29 
        Data Conversion Expert                       31 
        Computer Expert                              32 
        Cartographic and Geographic Expert           33 
        Consultant and Conversion Vendor             33 
        Administrative Support Personnel             34 
        Digitizer                                    34 
      Hardware and Software                          35 
        Determining Appropriate Equipment            35 
        Plotters                                     35 
        Data Manipulation Requirements               36 
      Budget                                         36 
        Up-front Funding                             37 
        Budget Flexibility                           37 
      Conversion Structures                          38 
        Departments                                  38 
        Multi-participant GIS                        39 
      Data Sharing Guidelines                        44 
        Where to Look                                45 
        Benefits and Challenges of Data Sharing      46 
      Conversion Pilot                               50 
        Limiting the Sample Area                     50 
        Limiting Risk                                51 
        Evaluating the Pilot                         52 
      Conversion Philosophies                        53 
        Incremental Conversion                       53 
        Blitzkrieg Conversion                        57 
      References                                     60 
      Acknowledgments                                61 
    Chapter 4:  Project Planning and Management      63 
      Project Elements                               64 
      Planning                                       66 
        Obtain Input and Support from Executives     66 
        Perform Needs Assessments of End Users       68 
        Establish Goals, Objectives, and             69 
        Strategies
        Test Project Feasibility                     71 
        Prioritize                                   73 
        Prepare a Budget                             74 
        Prepare a Time Line                          74 
      Articulating the Plan                          74 
      Gathering Resources                            75 
      Working Toward Milestones                      75 
      Demonstrating Usability                        76 
      Long-term Data Maintenance                     79 
      Strategic Issues                               80 
        Consultant versus In House                   80 
        Choosing a Consultant                        82 
        Traditional Procurement                      84 
        New Procurement Options                      88 
      Key Risk Areas                                 91 
        Change Control                               91 
        Guarding Against "Foolproof" Claims          92 
        Database Design Parameters                   92 
        Data Quality                                 93 
        Cost and Schedule                            94 
        Communication                                94 
        User Acceptance                              95 
        Data Maintenance                             96 
        Management Support                           96 
        Procedural Innovation                        97 
        Mitigating Risk and Liability                97 
      Conclusion                                     98 
      Acknowledgments                                98 
    Chapter 5:  Documenting a Data Conversion        99 
    Effort
      Benefits of Documentation                      100
      Creating Data Conversion Documentation         101
        Keep It Simple                               101
        Make It Portable                             101
        Address Motivation                           102
        Provide as Much Detail as Possible, and      103
        Then Some
      What to Include                                103
        Project Implementation Objectives and        103
        Priorities
        Database Design                              104
        Data Conversion Plan and Procedures          107
        Quality Control Plan and Procedures          108
        Post-conversion Updates                      110
        New Stuff "Outside the Box"                  111
      A Final Thought about Documentation            111
      Acknowledgments                                112
  SECTION 3:  Understanding the Target System        113
    Chapter 6:  Understanding the Target System      115
      Different Levels of GIS Use                    115
      Computer Networks                              116
      Network Operating Systems                      118
        Lantastic                                    118
        UNIX                                         118
        Novell                                       118
        Windows NT                                   119
        The Internet                                 119
      Network Security                               120
      Computer Operating Systems                     121
        UNIX                                         121
        Disk Operating System (DOS)                  121
        Windows                                      122
        Windows 95                                   122
        Windows NT                                   123
        Macintosh OS                                 123
        Mainframes                                   124
        Web Browsers                                 124
      Computer Hardware                              126
        Processors                                   126
        Storage Devices                              127
        Input Devices                                129
        Output Devices                               131
        Network Connectivity Devices                 132
      GIS Software                                   132
        Non-commercial GIS Software                  132
        Commercial GIS Software                      132
      Database Design                                135
        Design Elements                              136
        Design Stages                                137
        Design Drivers                               137
      Summary                                        138
      Acknowledgments                                138
  SECTION 4:  GIS Data Sources                       139
    Chapter 7:  Data Source Types and Preparation    141
      Data Source Types                              141
        Existing Digital Sources                     142
        Existing Vector Data Sources                 142
        Existing Tabular Data Sources                144
        Existing Raster Data Sources                 145
        Existing Hardcopy Data Sources               145
      GIS Data Synthesis                             151
        Aerial Photography and Planimetric Data      151
        Compilation
        Digital Orthophotography                     152
        Field Capture of Data                        153
        COGO Input                                   153
      Optimal Data Source Selection                  154
      Feature Quantities                             155
      Data Source Preparation for Entry into the     156
      GIS
        Retrieval/Duplication of Data Sources        156
        Freezing Source Updates                      157
        Scrubbing Data Sources                       157
        Posting of Backlog                           157
        Cross-References, Conflict Resolution,       158
        and Cleansing Records
      Source Document Inventory, Control, and        158
      Tracking
      Acknowledgments                                159
    Chapter 8:  Data Models, Collection              161
    Considerations, and Cartographic Issues
      Raster versus Vector Data Representation       161
      Issues
        Characteristics of Geographic Phenomena      162
        Locational Precision                         163
        Speed of Analytical Processing and           164
        Computing
        Data Storage                                 164
      Data Issues                                    167
      Data Collection in GIS                         167
        Primary Data Collection                      167
        Secondary Data Collection                    170
      Cartographic Data Issues                       172
        Geographic Information Content               172
        Map Scale and Generalization                 173
        Graphic Representation of Spatial Features   176
      Summary                                        178
      Acknowledgments                                178
    Chapter 9:  External Data Sources and Formats    179
      Considerations When Using External Data        179
      Examples of External GIS Data                  184
        Base Map Data                                184
        Thematic Data Sets                           190
        Elevation Data                               192
      Sources of External Data                       194
        Other Sources of Information                 202
      Acknowledgments                                203
  SECTION 5:  Data Conversion/Input Methodologies    205
    Chapter 10:  Airborne Sensing Systems and        207
    Techniques
      Data Types                                     207
      Types of Photogrammetry                        211
      Map/Photo Scale                                212
      Resolution                                     214
      Camera Technology                              215
        Digital Frame Cameras                        216
      Aerial Photography                             217
        Flight Conditions                            222
      Photo Control                                  224
        Traditional Field Surveys                    224
        GPS Field Surveys and Aerotriangulation      225
    Chapter 11:  Producing GIS Data from Aerial      229
    Photos
      Stereomapping                                  229
        Planimetric Detail                           233
      Softcopy Mapping                               234
      Image Analysis                                 237
      Digital Orthophotography                       238
        Orthographic Projections                     239
        Digital Orthophoto Process                   239
        Orthophotos as Base Maps                     243
        3D Images                                    244
        Design Issues                                244
      Project Planning Considerations                245
    Chapter 12:  Global Positioning Systems          251
      Comparing GPS Data Acquisition to Other        253
      Methods
      GPS Method of GIS Data Collection and          254
      Conversion
      What Can Go Wrong?                             255
      Differential Correction                        255
      Data Conversion to GIS                         256
      Other Applications                             257
      GPS Advantages and Disadvantages               257
        Advantages                                   257
        Disadvantages                                258
      The Future                                     258
    Chapter 13:  Scanning                            259
      Why GIS Data Are Different                     259
        Advantages of Vector Data                    262
      How Scanning Works                             263
      About Scanners                                 264
      Image Quality                                  266
        Digital versus Visual Output                 266
        Thresholding                                 267
        Brightness and Contrast                      268
        Gamma Correction and Thresholding            271
        Dynamic Thresholding                         271
      Throughput                                     272
        Optimal Environment                          273
        Memory Guidelines                            273
      Resolution                                     274
        Scan Heads                                   274
        Optical versus Interpolated Resolution       275
        Scale and Accuracy in Relation to            280
        Resolution
      Scanning Accuracy                              281
        What Accuracy Is Required?                   281
        Accuracy and Source Documents                282
        Scanner Accuracy                             283
      Map Preparation for Scanning                   285
      Vectorization                                  287
        Intersections                                290
        Generalization                               290
        Intersections versus Generalization          291
        Attributes                                   292
        Vectorization Tricks of the Trade            292
      Color Scanning                                 293
        Color Scanner                                294
      Optical Character Recognition                  296
        Good News About OCR                          296
        Bad News About OCR                           297
      Data Storage                                   298
        Making the Most of What You Have             299
      Data Delivery                                  300
      Summary                                        301
      Acknowledgments                                301
    Chapter 14:  Keyboard Entry of Attribute Data    303
      Single Key Data Entry                          305
        Data Preparation Requirements                306
        Hardware/Software Requirements               307
        Data Validation Considerations               307
        Data Quality Control                         308
      Double Key Data Entry                          310
        Data Preparation Requirements                311
        Hardware/Software Requirements               315
    Chapter 15:  Spatial Data Transfer Standards     319
      General Characteristics                        320
        No Information Loss                          320
        Self-contained Transfers                     321
        Not Intended for Processing                  322
        Non-proprietary Format                       323
        Three Model Levels                           323
        Wide Spectrum of Spatial Data Models         325
        Supported
        Feature Catalog                              325
        Files of the Transfer                        326
      Impact on the Data Consumer                    327
        Barriers to Spatial Data Exchange            327
        Target System Must Support Data Set          328
        Learning the Standard                        329
        Spatial Object Terms                         331
        Data Quality Report                          332
        Attributes                                   334
      GIS Import Process                             336
        Automatic Conversion/Direct Import           336
        Advanced Import Options                      338
        Format Converter Utilities                   339
        Viewing Utilities                            340
        An SDTS Import Example Using ARC/INFO        342
      Troubleshooting                                349
        Diagnosing the Problem                       349
        Common Problems                              349
        Where to Find Help                           352
        Suggested Places for Help                    352
      Acknowledgments                                353
      References                                     353
  SECTION 6:  Quality Control/Quality Assurance      355
    Chapter 16:  Quality Control/Quality Assurance   357
      Attribute versus Graphic Quality               358
        Attribute Accuracy                           358
      What About the Data Source?                    359
      Spatial Accuracy                               360
      Quality Control versus Quality Assurance       362
        Quality Control Definition and Philosophy    362
        Data Acceptance Criteria                     368
        Define Criteria for Measuring Quality        369
        Establish Procedures for Quality             372
        What Types of Checks When?                   372
        Define Detailed Quality Control/Quality      374
        Assurance Procedures
      Documentation of Quality                       374
        Quality Control/Quality Assurance Log        375
        Forms
        Automated Reports and Logs                   375
      Problem Resolution                             376
      Managing Quality Risks                         379
        Documentation of Quality Requirements        379
        Set Your Sights                              380
        Providing Adequate Resources                 380
        Resolve the Quality versus                   381
        Schedule/Budget Conflict
  Appendix A:  Glossary                              383
  Appendix B:  Contributors                          393
  Index                                              397